Abstract: The Reader is a love story, where reading is one of the most important elements. Through the
love entanglement between the hero and heroine, both of who were readers, the author Benhard Schlink
not only revealed the historical truth and complexity of human nature, but also explored in depth the
relationship between reading and love, reading and growth, reading and thinking, reading and redemption,
with the conclusion that “reading is the sharp axe to break the ice in our hearts”.

Key words: The Reader, Reading, Device, Redemption